The influence of information load on ethanol and water intake of altered magnetic background was studied in initially ethanol-aversive Wistar rats. A paradigm of free choice between 10% of ethanol solution and water was applied. Daily exposure to weak disturbances of ambient magnetic field (MF, up to 210 mT) caused by various ferromagnetic objects under conditions of free behavior (zero level of information load) did not alter rats' ethanol/water intake over 2 months. Cognitive activity on the background of natural MF (38 mT) caused an increase of ethanol intake in 34.8% of rats, which were mainly poor learners. This activity on the background of altered MF (up to 280 mT) modulated by magnets provoked an increase of stable ethanol addiction in all rats, independent of individual peculiarities and learning success. A possible role of the endogenous opioid system in mediating MF-induced development of alcohol addiction is discussed.
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